Cleistocactus baumannii
The Firecracker Cactus
Scarlet Bugler
The Cleistocactus baumannii
www.gargamel-cactus.com
WHY I PICKED THE FIRECRACKER CACTUS
I picked this plant based on some of the plants I saw at the Franklin Park Conservatory. In the “Desert Room” there was a plant with a common name of “The Firecracker Cactus.” This plant seemed really interesting to me, because it sounded like it stood out, as opposed to the traditional green prickly cactuses that people generally think of in regards to a cactus. This plant seems like it can be beautiful during its blooming season, and is something I would like to see in its real natural habitat someday.
The Cleistocactus baumannii
/www.desert-tropicals.com
The Firecracker Cactus
The Cleistocactus baumannii
/www.desert-tropicals.com
|
|
Cleistocactus baumannii is a shrubby plant that grows tall, and erect, but then as it grows older begins to branch from the bottom of the stem. This ribbed plant grows on average to be about three feet tall, but can grow as tall as 6 feet. Cleistocactus baumannii is pollinated by humming birds, like all the other species of Cleistocactus. This plant has yellow spines year round, with bright red to bright orange flowers that bloom that are skinny in comparison to their length (usually around three inches). These flowers are usually slightly bent or curved, and bloom during the summer months, in small groups, or singly on the side of the cactus column. These plants do well in moderate humidity, and do well in extreme temperature differences. Currently today, there are six subspecies of Cleistocactus baumannii recognized today.
HABITAT
This plant resides in a shrubby habitat or in slightly arid conditions.
WHERE IS THE FIRECRACKER CACTUS FOUND?
The firecracker cactus is originally from Bolivia, and is found in the South American region of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
PLANT LIFE FORM
Perennial
RARE OR COMMON?
The firecracker cactus is one of the easiest species of Cleistocactus to grow, making it quite popular. This cactus grows quickly and very well in households and in greenhouses.
RESOURCES
Anderson, Edward F, 2001. The Cactus Family. Portland (Or) Timber Press. p. 154
Cactus Guide.com [Internet]. Available from: http://www.cactiguide.com.
Dave’s Garden [Internet}. Available from http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/95059/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kaitlin O’Hara
PBIO 209 2008
Cleistocactus baumannii
The Cleistocactus baumannii is a shrubby and cactus like plant that resides in a shrubby habitat or in slightly arid conditions. This plant is most likely to reside in the Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forest, and seems like it would most fit in the Bolivian mountain dry forest. These habitats have a warm climate all year round, and have both dry and wet seasons. A drought condition can help the forest because the trees will loose their leaves, allowing sunlight to reach the ground level and allow for the lowest plants to grow. This plant is originally from the Bolivian and Peru areas, so this seems like a likely environment to find it.
This is an easy cactus to cultivate and flower, and do well in green houses in America. They are fast growing plants. One of the main reasons for Cleistocactus not surviving “captivity” or surviving in an unnatural environment is due to over watering. This plant needs plenty of water in the summer, but not nearly as much during the winter season.
The word Cleistocactus comes from the Greek language meaning ‘closed cactus’ describing the flowers on the Cleistocactus. These flowers only bloom during the summer time producing red and orange flowers that develop into pink fruit later in the season. The plants in this genus are generally very tall and skinny with many “spines” or spikes sticking out of the bodies. Also, other stems can branch from the base of the main stem, and the small skinny flowers branch off the side of this main stem.
There are some weather conditions that are problematic to these kinds of plants at times. There are times of extreme temperatures, causing draughts that can be straining on the vegetation and wildlife in the area. Also times where rainfall is quite heavy, causing moist tropical conditions. This area is also very susceptible to forest fire and deforestation.
This plant seems to grow best in filtered sunlight. The main threats to this plant seem to be its local environment and how varied it can be from year to year. This is an extremely adaptable plant however that can handle nearly any kind of weather pattern thrown at it. It is able to survive a harsh and brutally hot summer, as well as a very wet and rainy season as well. This plant has been established in this are for many years now, and seems to be very acclimated to the area and well adjusted.
Another possible threat to the Cleistocactus baumannii would be if something happened to the population of hummingbirds in the area. Cleistocactus baumannii are pollinated by hummingbirds, just like every other species of the Cleistocactus genus, so if something were to ever happen to these birds the effects could potentially be devastating to this plant. In order to make sure this doesn’t happen, I would suggest just monitoring the populations and making sure that nothing is endangering the hummingbird populations in these environments.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.